Bryce Canyon National Park – A Great Place to Visit in the Winter

For those who know it well, winter is one of the most spectacular times of year to enjoy Bryce Canyon National Park. Special programs and activities arrive with the snow, and visitors enjoy a beauty and solitude unique to this time of year. Here are the hours and operations for park visitor services and concessions as the winter season begins.

Beginning Sunday, October 14th, the park Visitor Center and Bookstore will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. On Sunday, November 11th, the Visitor Center and Bookstore will transition to their winter hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, November 22nd and Tuesday, December 25th are the only days that the park’s Visitor Center and Bookstore will not be open, in observance of Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Beginning Monday, October 1st, Bryce Canyon Shuttle will transition to its fall schedule, providing service beginning at 8:00 a.m. until the final outbound bus departs the Visitor Center leaving the park at 6:15 p.m. Shuttle service will continue in the park through Sunday, October 21st.

Lodging and food services will be available most of the winter at Bryce Canyon. Both Sunset Hotel and the General Store near Sunrise Point will be open, except from January 2 through March 7, 2019 for maintenance and upgrades. While open, the General Store will provide limited breakfast, lunch, and early dinner options as well as restrooms, laundry, and public showers.

On Saturday, October 13, Valhalla Pizzeria will end its season. On Sunday, November 4 at 11:00 a.m., the Lodge at Bryce Canyon and the Sunrise Hotel unit will end their seasons. Both of these facilities will resume operations on Friday, March 29, 2019.

Lodging rates at the Sunset Hotel will be discounted from November 4, 2018 through January 1, 2019, and again from March 8 through March 28, 2019. Visit www.brycecanyonforever.com or call 877-386-4383 for all park lodging rates and availability.

By March 29, 2019, all concession lodging, food, and beverage services will have resumed operation for the 2019 season, with the exception of Valhalla Pizzeria which will reopen May 24, 2019.

The final day for horseback and mule rides operated by Canyon Trail Rides will be October 31st, unless weather dictates an earlier closing. Canyon Trail Rides will resume operations on or about April 1, 2019, depending on the weather.

North Campground Loop A will also remain open year round for the winter season. North Campground Loop B will close November 11th, while North Campground Loops C and D, the North Campground dump station, and Sunset Campground will close November 1st or earlier if overnight temperatures drop consistently below freezing.

Bryce Canyon National Park’s main road will remain open but may be restricted following heavy snowfall. The Fairyland Point and Paria View roads will be closed to vehicular traffic and left un-plowed for cross-country skiers and snowshoeing. Enjoy cross-country skiing above the canyon rim, however no skiing, snowboarding or other sliding is allowed below the rim. Hikers are encouraged to prepare by dressing warmly and hiking with snowshoes or under-boot traction devices. Those planning hikes below the rim are encouraged to check with the Visitor Center for weather updates.

We hope visitors to Bryce Canyon National Park will enjoy their winter experience. Additional information can be obtained at www.nps.gov/brca or by calling the park’s information line at (435) 834-5322.